Mgahinga National Park is one of Uganda’s smallest yet most scenic parks. It is in the country’s South-West in the famous Virunga Mountain range which lies along the border of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda.
Virunga is comprised of three extinct volcanoes which have left breathtaking scenery of majestic peaks and deep riverine gorges, a vast untouched landscape providing protected habitats for a diverse collection of flora and fauna.
The highest volcanic peak is Mt Muhavura with an altitude of 4127 metres above sea level. The shortest of the three volcanoes – at a still impressive 3474 metres – is Mt Gahinga, from which the National Park takes its name.
One of Mgahinga’s greatest attractions is its Mountain Gorillas. Visitors can take the once in a lifetime opportunity to see these wonderful creatures in their natural habitat. This critically endangered species does not thrive in captivity and the World’s remaining individuals (less than 900) are now only found in this area and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Other wildlife to be seen include the Guereza colobus and golden (blue) monkey, buffalo, elephant, honey badger, bushbuck, serval cat, various sun squirrel and side-striped jackal.
A number of rare bird species (including many of the renowned Albertine Rift Endemics) are recorded in the area such as the scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird, the Francolin, dusky turtle dove, Rwenzori nightjar, alpine chat, Kivu ground thrush, Ladgen’s bush-shrike and Rwenzori turacos.
Visitors can also get an insight into the culture and way of life of the Batwa people, an indigenous Pygmie tribe that until recently inhabited the forest.
